The USRA Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) is a center for lunar and planetary science, conducting research studies on the formation, evolution, and current state of the Moon, planets (including Earth), comets, asteroids, satellites, cosmic dust, and our solar system as a whole through analysis of data and samples obtained through NASA's long history of missions and exploration.

LPI's current Earth science projects include:

• Radar study of Earth hyper-arid environments;
• Dynamics of long-term fault activity and seismicity;
• Experimental measurements of element partitioning, diffusion, and reaction kinetics in materials of the Earth's crust and mantle;
• Experimental determination of rheologies for crustal and mantle minerals and rocks;
• Structure and spreading of large volcanoes;
• Interior studies of terrestrial planets through petrology and geochemistry;
• Studies of impact cratering on the Earth and effects on Earth's environment, and
• Modeling of minerals formed in impact-generated hydrothermal systems.

Dr. Stephen Mackwell, Director of the LPI

Dr. Stephen Mackwell was appointed Director of the LPI in November 2002. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Mackwell served as Director of Bayerisches Geoinstitut in Germany. He received his Ph.D. in Geophysics from the Research School of Earth Sciences at the Australian National University, and his Master and Bachelor degrees from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. Dr. Mackwell's research interests include laboratory-based research into the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of geological materials under conditions relevant to the mantle and crust of Earth and other terrestrial planets.

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